by Carré White
The schoolhouse had been freshly built, the structure smelled of newly cut wood and paint. Denver City was a bustle this morning with freight wagons, miners and their wagons, and children, who I assumed were heading for the school. It was exciting to know that I was about to realize a dream. I left the wagon to the side of the building, tying the horse to a hitching post. The children ran ahead, dashing up the wooden steps and disappearing inside. More children approached. Their parents had prepared them for this first, momentous day of school.
Entering the building, I caught sight of a big crate towards the back, which eased my mind. The shipment of supplies had arrived after all. “I need to open that.” Hugh had found chalk, and he was in the process of writing something on the board. He’d spelled the word school. “That’s wonderful, but you should erase that. I have to do lessons on there soon.”
“What are we supposed to do, Ms. Louisa?”
“Just sit, Hugh, but you have to call me Miss Hoffman now, all right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The child looked tired, his eyes half-opened and bleary.
“When did you go to sleep last night?”
He shrugged. “Late.”
“How late?”
“Not sure.”
I closed my eyes, exasperated. Matthias had let them stay up well past their bedtime. “Go sit, please.” More children appeared in the doorway. “Hello! Come in. Take a seat. I just have to open this crate right quick and we can begin.”
Despite the fact that the Montgomery children were exhausted, the morning progressed without incident, as I wrote my name boldly on the blackboard. There were only ten children in all, as some were in the mountains with their parents. I began with introductions; most of the pupils had only just met today. I had seen some of them in church, but the Montgomerys did not attend service, so they were not able to meet other families in the area.
We began with the alphabet, reciting it several times in song. Most of the children were beyond this, so we moved to primers, reading out loud in turn. With such a wide variety of ages, several of the students were far more advanced, and I had to accommodate them, letting them read from one of my books. By the time recess was announced, I was ready for a break, needing a cup of tea desperately. There was a small cook stove in the furthest room, and I waited for water to boil. By the time I had a cup in hand, I strolled through the school, noting that each desk had a jacket draped across a chair. Children squealed noisily outside.
There were a few on the front steps, talking. As I approached, I heard Annie saying, “I saw her kissin’ my pa. He asked her to marry him, but she refused. I’d like to know why, but it’s not my business.”
“Annie!” Horrified, I placed the tea on a desk, and grasped her arm. “Excuse us for a minute. I need to have a word with you.” I took her inside the room. “You shouldn’t say things like that, honey.”
“I shouldn’t?”
“No. Besides, it’s not true. I…never kissed your father. Oh, goodness! I sure hope they don’t run off to tell their parents. Oh, what a pickle!”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Louisa. I didn’t mean to cause no trouble.”
It was impossible to be angry with her. “It’s not that, it’s just…people talk and they have ways of making a big deal over nothing.”
“But it’s true. You were kissin’ my pa, I know you were.”
“Shush about that now. Please.” I shook her gently. “Can you try to remember not to talk about such things? What adults do is private. It’s not something the entire town needs to know about.”
“Yes, Ms. Louisa. Sorry.” Her shoulders slumped, and she yawned.
“When did you go to bed?”
“It was…” she seemed to need a great deal of time to think. “It was pretty darn late.”
“I’m going to speak to your father about this. You can’t learn anything worthwhile if you’re half asleep.”
She nodded, yawning. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now go play, but no more of that talk, do you hear me?”
“Yes.”
It was a concern that the other children would tell their parents what they had heard, but I could not worry about such things, as we were going into an arithmetic lesson, and I had other issues to contend with. When the time came to end the day, I rang a bell, which sat on my desk. The first day of school had not been the triumph I had hoped for, but I had gotten through it well enough. There were new lesson plans for tomorrow and an idea for a play by the end of the week, which would hopefully engage some of the less enthusiastic pupils.
The Montgomery children piled into the wagon, looking wilted and tired. They felt as I did, but I had a lengthy drive ahead of me. My day was far from over. At the house, their father was absent, and I assumed he was working in the barn, because the wagon was out front and the horse was in the paddock.
“Are you hungry?” I stood in the kitchen, eyeing the stove, which was filled with dirty pots and pans. “Oh, drats.”
“Can we have some marmalade and bread?” asked Annie.
“Fine. That’s what I’ll do.” Hugh and Oscar continued to yawn, which in turn transferred over to me, as I began to yawn. Once they had eaten, the boys disappeared. “I have to go home.” My shoulders slumped at the prospect. My sister’s farm was another twenty minutes down a bumpy road.
“I’m havin’ a nap,” said Annie, springing from the chair.
“That sounds heavenly.”
“You come with me, Ms. Louisa. Let’s take a nap.”
It was imperative that I leave, but the thought of the long drive home left me with few options. “I suppose I could stay for a little bit and then be on my way.”
“That’s what I say.”
She had gone into the small room next door, curling up on the bed. I joined her, sliding in next to her. I closed my eyes, drifting to sleep almost instantly. When I woke, it was nearly dark; the sun had set, sending deep shadows into the room. Annie was before me, with my arm around her middle, while I felt the weight of an arm across my belly. It took a moment to focus, realizing this arm belonged to Mr. Montgomery. He’d joined us at some point, and I hadn’t even known!
“What are you doing?” I turned to look at him, but he was fast asleep. “Wake up, sir!”
“Hum…”
“Ouf!” I smacked him in the shoulder. “You have some nerve.”
“Oh, don’t be like that.” He groaned. “You looked so comfortable. I thought I’d join you.”
“Pa!” Annie turned, leaning over me, her weight on my belly. “I survived my first day of school.”
“I know you did,” he chuckled. “Good girl.”
“I sure was tired, though. Nobody said school was so tiring.”
“That’s because your father kept you up half the night.”
He shifted, his arm tightening around me. “Let’s sleep a bit longer.”
I squirmed then, trying to free myself. “Oh, I must get home.”
“What about dinner?” Annie looked hopeful. “I sure am hungry.”
The level of frustration I felt in that moment could not be overstated. I knew these children wouldn't get a proper supper if I didn't provide it. And, they would be up half the night, if left to their own devices. The situation was impossible! I met Matthias’s gaze, hating him in that moment. His grin was mischievous.
“I could scream at you, I really could.”
“I don't doubt it, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You’re in my bed. I think I’ve the right to call the woman who shares my bed sweetheart.”
“Scoot on off, Annie. I need to get up.” His arm was like a steel bar around my midsection. “Now stop this!”
He pulled me to him, his nose in my neck. “You sure do smell fine.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes!”
“Ms. Louisa, are you gonna stay and cook supper?”
“What both of you are doing isn’t fair!”
“What are we d
oing?” Annie seemed confused.
“Not you, muffin. It’s your daddy. He’s…awful.”
“This is my idea of courtin’, honey. You said you wanted to be wooed. Is it workin’?”
Chapter Ten
It was just my luck that I ended up staying at the Montgomery’s, making dinner, cleaning up, and, although I was relieved that Matthias helped, putting the children to bed. I’d been on my feet all day, having gotten up at a frightfully early hour to get ready for the first day of school, and I still hadn’t finished working.
By the time I left the house, I was beyond exhausted, wishing that I didn’t have to leave at all, but I needed a change of clothes for the next day. The road home was eerily dark; the lamp did little to light the way. There were deer as well; several jumped before the wagon, nearly spooking the horse. When I entered the house, Nathan was still awake.
“Well, hello. You sure were gone long.”
“I know. I was…with the Montgomerys.”
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
“Why didn’t you just stay over there?”
“I need clothes.”
“Bring a trunk over.”
I glared at him. “I can’t move in with an unmarried man, Nathan. You know that.” I hated that his grin was similar to Matthias’.
“I’d save yourself a heap of trouble and marry him. You belong with that family.”
I brushed past him. “I know you’d love to get rid of me. I’m sorry I’m such a nuisance.”
He took hold of my arm. “You’re no trouble at all, but you sure are stubborn. You remind me so much of Hannah, but, then again, you are her sister.”
“And your point is?”
“Marry the man for Pete’s sake. Get a good night’s sleep.”
“I know nothing about his character. Nothing at all.” I snatched my arm out of his grasp, taking the first step. “I won’t marry someone I don ‘t know.”
“He’s a miner, Louisa. He lost his wife. She was the love of his life. He’s been a grievin’ mess, a lot like your sister was. You should’ve seen her after Frank died. It’s a tough time for anyone. Matt didn’t mean to neglect his kids. He was doin’ the best he could. That’s all any of us can do.”
“I understand that.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Nothing. I really don’t want to discuss it with you. I’ve had a long day.”
“Fine, but you know I’m right.”
I glared at him. “No you’re not.”
“I am. Did you know there’s a betting pool goin’ that you’ll be hitched come harvest?”
“You men disgust me!”
I raced up the stairs; anger and indignation had left me fuming. What made it worse was that Nathan had chortled, laughing at me, as I had made my escape. I was eager to be alone and desperate to change into bedclothes, as the corset had dug into my ribcage.
My mood did not improve with sleep, as I woke realizing I had to hurry, if I were to feed and dress the Montgomery children. There was breakfast on the table. Maria had made a ham and egg casserole, which looked piping hot. I cut out a small slice, sitting at the table and eating, while thinking of all the things I needed to do today. I listened to Nathan and Jerry outside, complaining about how the rabbits had gotten into the kitchen garden. They were obnoxious little pests and prevalent in these parts.
“Oh, there you are.” Hannah strode towards the stove with Letty over her shoulder.
“I’m leaving in a moment.”
“I didn’t even see you last night. You sure were gone long.”
“I helped with the Montgomery children.”
“You look tired.”
“I am tired.”
“You’re doing too much.”
“That man needs a maid. Does Maria know anyone who’d be willing to work for him?”
“He’s not farming from what I can tell. He won’t be able to pay wages. He won’t be able to offer room and board. People won’t work for free.”
“He doesn’t have any useful farm animals either.” Frustration got the better of me. “I’m so sick of it!”
“Why do you care at all? They aren’t your family. Leave them be. You don’t owe them anything. You’ve done too much for them as it is.”
There was the crux of the matter. I did care. “I can’t sit back and watch that little girl starve.”
“Well, you have a few choices.” She lifted the lid of the casserole. “Oh, this looks good. It’s enough to feed everybody. That was smart.”
“What choices?”
“Quit teaching and marry the man.”
I got to my feet. “Those are not viable options.”
“They seem sound to me. You can teach those kids at home in-between cow milking, pig chasing, and diaper changing.” She patted Letty on the back. “Works for me.”
“But I came out west to teach! How am I going to use my education, if I’m not in a classroom?”
“Teach your own children well. That’s all anyone asks of you. That’s all that’s required. Be a good person. Love your husband. Honor our Lord in church. What more is there?”
“I didn’t think it would be like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing’s the way I thought it would be.”
“And I was supposed to be married to a preacher. I certainly didn’t expect my husband to die. You can’t predict the future, and you can’t stop bad things from happening. We just have to go on, Louisa. That’s all we can do. You’ve got me now, and Paulina. We have family here, and we’re going to put down roots.” She glanced at Letty. “And have lots of babies.”
I absolutely hated that she was right. I couldn’t give up on my dreams, though. I came out west for a purpose…gosh-darnit. “I have to go to work.”
“Fine. We’ll have supper waiting for you, unless you’ll be at the Montgomerys again.”
“I don’t know.”
“Nathan was talking about building him a henhouse.”
“He needs one, but you really don’t have to trouble yourself.”
“It’s no trouble at all. We’ve plenty of lumber and chicken wire left over.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep your chin up. You’ll make it through.”
“Tell Maria breakfast was marvelous. I’ll have to get the recipe.”
“I will.”
Jerry had prepared the wagon for me, which was kind and thoughtful of him. I sat on the bench taking a moment to appreciate the freshness of the air, knowing that these mild days would soon cool, as winter approached.
You’ll be making this drive in blizzards, Louisa.
Oh, don’t remind me.
You could be warm and snuggled up in a bed with Matt, but you’ll be on the road in horrid conditions. The wheels might even get stuck.
Oh, bosh! Be quiet now!
By the time I had arrived at the Montgomerys, I was amazed to see the children dressed and ready. Matthias led them out to the wagon, smiling. “Hello.”
“How did you do it?” I had not expected this.
“Well, they got a good night’s sleep is what happened.”
“Did you feed them?”
“Yeah, but there wasn’t much.”
“I’ve some apples at the school. Get in, children.” They clambered into the wagon, dressed in the same clothing they had on the day before. Hugh hadn’t washed his face, as there was a smudge across his cheek. Annie’s hair was tangled, but at least they were ready to go. “Thank you for helping, Mr. Montgomery.”
“You have a good day now.”
“What will you do?”
He pointed towards the barn. “Work.”
“Very well. We’ll see you at dinner.”
He nodded, but his demeanor was downcast, his shoulders slightly slumped. Then I remembered he wasn’t much of a morning person, and the children had probably worn him out. Voices trilled around me on the drive to town, as the children wer
e excited to see new friends. Their favorite activity was recess and playing games of tag, hopscotch, and football. I’d managed to purchase a ball, which was made with an inflated pig’s bladder. As we pulled into the schoolyard, none of the other children had arrived yet. I secured the horse to the hitching post, while Annie, Hugh, and Oscar chased each other around out front.
When I had unlocked the door, I strolled towards the front of the room, placing my things on the desk. Several apples had been left the day before; two were red, while the other was green. I sat, preparing for class, while listening to Annie’s shrieks and laughter. At nine a.m. sharp, I rang the bell, but only the Montgomery children appeared, their eyes scanning the empty schoolroom.
“Where is everybody?” asked Hugh.
“I don’t know.” We waited for twenty minutes, until the sound of a wagon caught my attention. I got to my feet. “Excuse me. I’ll see who that is.” I was surprised to find Pastor Bailey at the door. “Well, hello.”
“I need to speak to you, Miss Hoffman.” He looked aggrieved. He’d removed his hat, holding it to his chest.
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the children won’t be returning to school.”
My stomach dropped. “Oh, my goodness. What happened?”
“There’s been talk that you’ve taken up with Mr. Montgomery. I know you’ve been helping him recover from his illness, but I—”
“You can’t be serious!”
“I’m not fond of gossip.” His smile was sympathetic. “I’d rather not have this conversation, but…people are up in arms. I’ve had many complaints.”
“Am I fired?”
“You don’t have students, Miss Hoffman. Their parents won’t allow them to return. They expect their teachers to adhere to a strict moral code, especially if they’re to mold young minds.”
“It’s as if I’m being punished for helping that poor family. I found these children beaten and starved by the side of the road. No one else in town cared one wit about what happened to them. I’m the only one who gave a…a hornets’ nest!” Indignation had gotten my ire up. “I can’t believe I’m being censored for helping a family in need.”
“I understand, but being an unmarried woman, it’s…” he appeared almost embarrassed…“it’s unseemly for you to be in such close quarters with an unmarried gentlemen.”